What we're about

CLICK HERE to see our main meetup events calendar http://www.socialfundation.com

The mission of this group is its name. 
This group is the 'little sister' group to "I Wanted to do that."  It will have only the key signature events of that group without an of the outside event organizers. 
This group is for anyone who loves travel. Whether you just want to go somewhere down the street or the other side of the world, come join us as we explore options of travel. Do you want an adventure? Visit museums? Go on sightseeing tours? Go shopping? Try a new restaurant or revisit your favorite ones? Watch a concert or sporting event?.
We welcome everyone and all things travel. Be prepared to tell us where you've been; where you would like to go next; who you would like to go with; and what you would like to do.
The mission of this group is its name. 
. . . . . Have you ever wanted to do a road trip but did not have people to join you? 
. . . . . . Have you ever wanted to do a complicated overseas trip and wanted a travel buddy (or buddies) to help you plan and go with you? 
. . . . . . Have you ever wanted to go camping but all the camping and hiking groups are all too hardcore and you want simple car camping?

It will be a friendly group of like minded geeks and nerdy travelers who share a passion for visiting local or long distance destinations, or for those thinking about travel or world travel for the first time.

WHAT WILL AND WILL NOT HAPPEN

The aim will be to meet monthly for drinks in the city. The objective is to make new friends, share travel stories, tips and thoughts about exciting places that we've visited, or plan to visit in the near future and to remind ourselves why people who travel the world are such good fun to be around.

There will not be presentations, slide shows and we will not allow commercial ventures to be pushed on you. Travel companies looking to promote their commercial services won't be here. This is aimed at populist travel. As leads . . . . we will make sure to steer when needed.

Meet Ups are based upon your personal interaction with other members within the group. There is no formal meeting agenda for these events. However you prefer to travel, we hope to see you at an event soon.

Seriously . . . let's post a road trip!!!

NOTE TO COMMERCIAL TRAVEL ORGANIZATIONS:

This is a non-commercial, social travel group. Promotion of goods, services or the solicitation of Members at Meet Ups, through the Meet Up messaging portal, Message Boards or via this website in any other way, by commercial organizations, non-commercial organizations, or by individuals is contrary to the spirit of the group and will result in expulsion from the group at the sole discretion of the group leadership.  Message Board solicitations may be deleted by the Organizer without notice. 
This group aims to be positive and safe environment for members to experience things that, for whatever reasons, you longed for but weren't able to do before. Everyone is welcome. 
Los Angeles is vibrant and diverse city. We have the opportunity to explore it and make new friends while doing so. Meetup is one of the few (maybe only) websites dedicated to having it's participants get offline and do things in reality. 
There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met. (William Butler Yeats ) 
EVERYONE IS WELCOME INTO THE GROUP! 
This is a place where everyone can just come as they are, and mingle with people who are like them AND who are NOT like them. We are not limited, restricted or exclusive by age, gender, gender preference, national origin, relationship status, etc. To put it more simply this group is open to all. All ages, all genders, all sexual orientations, all types - And that includes you!!! 
There are plenty of meetups that exclude based of one reason or another. Or there plenty meetups where people self segregate. This meetup is neither of those. Diversity is coveted here. People are not monochrome and neither are we. You will fit in perfectly and find a lot of folks who just like you in certain aspect, and differ from you in others. It's the good kind of variety of life. 
Some events on this group may specify limits at times. Those will be clearly noted when needed. At times they may be age delineated, or even gender related. Limits are placed often as a means to control size. The event can then be repeated/recycled with a different limit range. If there is an event you really wish to go to with a limit, . . . please contact me. You can be the impetus and the catalyst for the next event in the different limit/range. Other times the limit can be waived or bent as needed. 
Challenge yourself and importantly, BE yourself and expand your horizons and comfort zone. Let your hair down! Go wild! Be open minded and be non-judgmental. The group is based off quality events to bring people together from positive social interaction. Anyone who wants to explore an alternative, bohemian, experimental, strange, obscure, weird, wild, absurd, bizarre, avant garde, unconventional, wild-at-heart side of Los Angeles is welcome! 
In the interest of making events successful . . . I will spread events across other meetup groups to bump up attendance. For as you know, . . . sometimes people don't show up. Some Organizers get really bent out of shape about that. I do however know that life happens. Even if it's 10 mins before the event. Just change your rsvp. No worries. No harm-no foul. There is not any sort strikes or penalty system, and there is nobody keeping score. The exception will be if it is listed as a "no flake" event. On those you gotta give good notice of changes. It's about fun and community. What I have found is that by being mellow and and having good events more show up. We tend to have 80% or more attendance. I approach with compassion. So if you don't make one event or another. . . try and make it to the next, or the one after that. When you do make it, .. . . we will be glad you are there and all are welcome. 
Here are the basics of group rules. 
Do NOT contact members who you have not met in real life. 
Avoid Put Downs.
Speak For Yourself.
Listen To Others.
You Have The Option To Pass.
Expect Unfinished Business. 
While there are flexible attendance rules. There are sex/gender related rules. As a guideline do not message people you have not met in person. This is not an online dating place. Ladies: If a guy messages you please contact me. There have been problems with that happening over meetup in general. It's just not cool. Meetup is about real life and not virtual. Guys, . . . get off your computer and come to an event. Say hello in person. Smile, . . . be personable and decent. And just be there to get to know people and make friends of whatever gender. You can always use new good friends. And this is one way to make/meet them. Wingman tactics and and Pickup artist tactics are similarly not allowed in this group. Organizers of another group that are not an organizer or host here are also not allowed to solicit members. 
The rest of the rule are just good ways to live and be. 
Photo and Name: You are allowed to join with whatever name and whatever photo. HOWEVER the main organizers may request you change either name or photo a their discretion. Names that are products, promotional, advertisements are red flags that will be requested to change or be removed.         If you are using a photo that is not your face, a current face photo may be requested. Here is the rule of thumb. Fake name and fake photo will be requested to change to a real photo and a real name or face removal. Real photo and fake name is usually fine. Fake photo and real name is usually fine. 
IF you need to maintain privacy of both then contact the main organizers and just ask. That's all it takes usually.

All organizers on the group do have different set of rules. 
The rules simplified. 
• No Emailing (do not use the bulk email feature in any way)
• No outside links 
• Great Copy 
• Great Pix
• 4 weeks notice is best. 
• List any money costs in the first 2 or 3 lines. 
Not too many rules. Not too complicated. They all have to do with respect for the membership. 
Let's talk a little more about age: Are you in your 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s ? (btw some write 20's 30's 40's 50's 60's 70's 80's 90's ). I am often asked "What age range is this group?" 20 40 maybe? 30 50 perhaps? Or even 60 70. Forties ( forty's forty ), Fifties ( fifty's fifty ) of sixties ( sixty's sixty ) or older does matter. 24-39 3000 20+ 30+ 50+ 60+ & under or over. We are just aiming at good community. 
Yeah, . . . All that is great, . . . But I still have one question, . . . What age is your group? 
Age is a state of mind. And our state (this group) has no borders. 
If so then you may be looking for us! 
We do NOT discriminate by age, sex or gender, gender preference, origin, religion, belly button lint, etc . . . .
Do you enjoy friendship, activities, key networking, casual socializing, parties learning, sharing, inspiration? You do!?!?! How about personal and professional development with active nerd adult ( adults ) who like adventure ( adventurers, adventures, adventurous ) stuff that may involve silly dance game ( games ) and cool nerds with addicting, amazing fun? Great!!!! There will be sweet things to discover while engaging in retro revival underground unique geeky exploration of fringe play plus speed punk quirky sophisticated spectacular geek socials with high society making savvy friends. It will be an offbeat odyssey of an outing to nerdy paradise and we will party at random places (see locations below). Come and share fine no flake ( flakes ) fun that is free or inexpensive and goes late into the lovely night. Left, right or center, we will live life together and enjoy. 
We do some sports related events. Are you interested in teammates players for your sport or hobby? Such as bowling, trivia, camping, biking, hike, hikes, hiking, snowboarder, snowboarding, ski, skiing, kayaking? Or even related to bmi, exercise, fitness, healthy, lock pong, recreation, recreational, outdoor, york Halloween, mammoth mountain, St Patrick's, Ensenada, un scrabble solitaire poker or more!!! We run the range.  
A bigger majority of what we are cultural ( culture ), language, travel, music, arts, festival, performance, crave, dining, exotic, restaurant, food, foodie, architecture, art, artistic, urban, or ballet. But it does not stop there. We also do comedy, concert ( concerts ), cook, cooking, theater, theatre, culinary, cultural, tours, sub-culture, subculture sponge ( sponges ), performances, dances, dancing, museums, musical ( musicals ), bars, foodies, dinner, dinning, bbq, beach, restaurants, trips, cruise ( cruises ), cuisine.  And even with all that we still to even more!!! Including, flea n farmer (farmers) market ( markets ), boutique, burlesque, crafting, craft, create, creating, sushi, pho, pizza, tastings, tickets, kim chi, tai kimchi, deserts, eating, festivals, film, films, galleries, games, karaoke, movies, sutra kama karma.And now the important question. Did we miss one? Oh. . . OK then, . . Send that so we can add it to the list.  
Aside from the High Brow we do engage in the Low Brow such as wine, beer, drink, bar hopping, dive bars ( dives ), rave ( raver ravers raves raving ), hip-hop hiphop, hole holes-in-walls, crawl crawls, trance techno, dubstep, night nightclub, nightlife, nights. As well as classic club clubbing, clubs eclectic, edm electro electronica, pubs, pub speak, speakeasy, drinks, meet meeting mix mixer mixers mixing, greet, happy hour hours haunts, Did somebody say volunteer mingle? Let's DoLA or make a Timeout and TimeoutLA. LAist anyone? 
So the High Brow and the Low Brow get together and make up THE KNOW BROW and that is all about people and who makes us up.  
By ethnicity we very much match the instagram ethnic makeup of Los Angeles with Caucasian and Non Hispanic Whites, Latino, Black or African American, Native American,Asian, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander and others such as Middle Eastern such as Arab or Israeli, and many more from across the global atlas.
Different than ethnicity is Nationality, or National Origin. And again . . . from that we run the range European, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Pacific Islander, Indian, Taiwanese (Taiwan), Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese ( China, Cantonese, Mandarin ), Hong Kong Mexican ( Mexico ), and more and more. Even USC or UCLA 
And that makes for sooooooooo many languages. We like language and the culture it is able to unlock It brings English, Spanish second ESL and ELL and ASL are big here. Hebrew, Yiddish, German, French, And the gamut of others to translate ( translation translator ) with class (classes). 
Tolerance is a main tenet here as we are Christian ( Catholic, Mormon, etc), Jewish (Jew Jews), Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, tech Scientology and more. And even Republican, Conservative, Liberal, Democrat, Libertarian, Bernie / BernieCrat, or even Trump or Trumpian or Scientologist. This is a big tent and since it's decent social we will all be decent. 
What it comes down to is we are making new friends ( friend freind freinds ) and to be friendly. Almost like finding your entourage Made up of Men (man men's mens) and women ( woman women's ) and non-binary too. Members may be young or old, married, single ( divorce divorced separated and never married ) or coupled (couple as part of a committed relationship / relationships ). Many are likely singles and looking to date in one way or another. Going on dates or dating is fine. But it does NOT happen via using the group like Tinder, Match.com, POF or eharmony. 
This group is about real life. So online messaging of people you have not met in real life is not allowed. Why such a rule? 
Because it is heterosexist of you to assume that all people are interested in you. Like is says above there are married or those in committed relationships. There is is also the range of sexual preference in the group. Gay, lesbian girls lgbt lgbtq queer bi poly swing swinger swinging and any sort of variation such as transsexual and transgender. We do accept all. Even rs40 and rso40. We do NOT accept SpeedDating or Speedating or whatever you call it. It's forbidden. 
Whoever you find cute, hot, sexy or find attraction to that comes in person. Plenty a match and romance or spark may happen. You may find your love (or lover). But you also may just make great friends girlfriend ( girlfriends ). It's just down to good decent social. Conscious communication and engagement that makes for self-improvement and improvement of others. Conversation and network or networking of professionals. That's just smart l33t leet api entrepreneur groupting that will lead to inspirational international consciousness. 
We just added Game of Thrones GOT and The Walking Dead viewing parties. 
Where do you do events? We do them ALL OVER!!!! I have taken the time to look at past events and the cities they have happened in and near and put it together with the upcoming location too. Our groups IS different, . . . we DO range all over the city. Here are where we HAVE BEEN, and where we are GOING!! All of it is obscure or obscura.
So I have gone in great detail to cover who we are and what we do. This is accurate and verifiable by going to our past events and looking that what we have done. This is all fact based on the breadth, scope and mission of this group. 
If you have made it this far. Then watch this and then, . . .get off social media and on meetup. The social part of social media. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEWnXmDfVZg
This group is also very Reddit and Redditor affiliated. As such redditors events will be doing activities that do involve meme memes dank redidit subeddit snu snoo lurker boardgames board gaming gamer video cardgames card cards against humanity computers anime internet upvote downvote vote secret santa harry potter wow world warcraft karma programming digg cheap low cost nsfw league legends wtf youtube hearthstone twitch csgo narwhals bacon bacons midnight overwatch lol bernie sanders front page reddiyt r/all homepage android apple iphone mac samsung s6 s7 s8 r mobile funny dota dota2 nba politics discussion pokemon aww askreddit app apps comicon comic con convention disneyland disney diy diablo rams dodgers raiders cosplay star trek wars trekkie scifi sci-fi science fiction gif troll thrones got comment comments ama til today i learned ask me anything steam pc independent yorker independents artemis jackbox jack box com firefly serenity citizen& something comedy urban nightlife foodies friendship sierra wine food drinks dining american ny karaoke  
And the other members will have events involving cuisine recreation organizations snowboarding recreational fitness pubs eating culinary consciousness psychology philosophy growth conversation snowboarder theatre theater performances movies films creating galleries museums speak easy speakeasy opening nights music film festivals dancing street performance literature hikes greet tastings tours crawls outdoor activities beer * " ! +

Upcoming events (4+)

Paso Robles Wine Tasting Trip & Tour on June 3rd! Incl: Tastings/transport/meals

-Paso Robles Wine Tasting Trip. Central Pickup Location off 405 near the 10

Perfect spring weather with amazing wildflowers all the way there.

Awesome fun trip with great value!!

We will visit 5 wineries with full flights of wine tastings.

Transportation--INCLUDED !
Tastings-----------INCLUDED ! !
Meals--------------INCLUDED ! ! !

  • You like wine. You like travel.
  • You like history & culture.
  • You like to do it with good people and while having a great fun social time.
  • Maybe have it be a little quirky and off the beaten path too.
  • And you want it all at a fair decent cost.

Is that too much to ask for?
Apparently not!!! Because there is this meetup. It is a wine, history & culture tour. Mostly it's a wine tasting. There are some added special gems. Let's get to the main details.

This is a one day LA to Paso Robles and back adventure.

Cost is $236 Per Person. Click here for Secure Payment Link
CLICK HERE for our Attendees Form OR the "I am interested form"

INCLUDES

  • Visits to 5 wineries
  • All listed tastings included
  • Transportation from LA to Paso Robles and return.
  • Transportation to all the wineries.
  • Coffee and morning pastries included
  • Lunch bites included
  • Dinner included
  • What a win!

Itinerary:
7:30 to 11:00 LA to Paso Robles
11:00 to 12:30 Sculptera Wineery
12:30 to 2:00 Bianchi and lunch bites
2:00 to 3:30 Cass
3:30 to 5:00 Tobin James
5:00 to 6:00 Thai dinner in Paso
6:00 to 7:00 5th Wine tasting in town at tasting room in Paso
Gas up .restrooms . . freshen up and on the road home by 7:00
Home earliest by 10 if no traffic. 10:30/11 latest
7 to 10 PM Nap and Sober up.

Let's look closer at this sched. First of all . . .this is a guide, and NOT hard in stone. There is going to be shifting of times and adjusting as we go.

The one thing that is NOT flexible is our depart time.
THIS WILL BE FIRM!!!!! BE EARLY TO BE ON TIME.
We are leaving 7:30 AM SHARP
It gives 3 hrs there and 3 back (and 1/2 hr float).
If you look you will see it gives us generous time per location and time for getting on and off and travel between.

But again . . there is flexibility within this. We can linger longer or bail early of the place is just not working for us..

All of these wineries are on many of the Paso Robles top ten best wineries lists.

Once again . . . this INCLUDES:

  • Visits to 5 wineries
  • All listed tastings included
  • Transportation from LA to Lompoc and return.
  • Transportation to all the wineries.
  • Coffee and morning pastries included
  • Lunch bites included
  • Dinner included
  • What a win!

Cost is $236 Per Person. Click here for Secure Payment Link
CLICK HERE for our Attendees Form OR the "I am interested form"

This event is limit in size to 15 people. And will fill as our past wine events have.

This will be cross posted on other groups. The only way to secure your space is payment.

The number of RSVP's does not reflect all who have rsvp'd or paid

Event payment links will be removed when we reach 15. Do not delay.

Refunds?
Refund if notice is given if cancel 2 weeks in advance of departure date and time.

Less than 2 weeks notice: 100% credit given toward any future event we lead.

You know you want to treat yourself. The Pandemic is receding. It is time to get out and be social in a safe way to some fabulous places.

Message with questions using link below. And yes. . . This is this as much fun as it looks. We look forward to you joining us.

Links central:

Primary Pickup and drop-off is a central location. There will be a secondary pickup in Santa Clarita for those in Valley, or who are north of the LA start-point.
If the LA start-point does not work for you send a note about our second pickup.

Disclaimers:
Itinerary and terms may vary or have modification or variation as needed/required.

9
Costa Rica Eco Adventure: Waterfalls, Snorkeling, Zip lines, Rafting, Volcanos !

Los Angeles International Airport

¡¡¡ Pura Vida !!!

Come alone, leave with friends!

Join me in Costa Rica for 9 nights/10 days of exploration and tropical adventures. . . . Best Meetup ever!!

Costa Rica is a playground for the adventurous and an eco-tourist's dream! It is an unspoiled tropical paradise.

  • Beautiful beaches
  • Rainforest biodiversity
  • Misty volcanoes
  • Roaring rivers
  • Lush jungles
  • Exotic flora and fauna
  • And more!!

And we are going there to enjoy it, learn about it and make memories of a lifetime!

This event is a true Meetup. We are creating it from scratch, and bringing like-minded people together on this adventure. Along the way making lifelong memories and friendships.

Together . . . let’s make a Meetup to remember!

  • Hike around the base of the Arenal Volcano
  • Selvatura Zip Line Canopy Tour
  • Guided visit to Finca Luna Nueva Farm
  • Caño Negro Refuge Tour/Visit
  • Rio Frio Wildlife Refuge Boat Tour
  • Hanging Bridges Walking Tour
  • Ecotermales Hot Springs
  • Monteverde Night Walk Tour
  • Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Tour (daytime)
  • River Floating Tour
  • Tamarindo Beach
  • Sunset Sailing
  • Snorkeling Tour
  • And more!

For a detailed Day By Day itinerary Click Here to fill out our info request form

Land Tour cost $2195 per person, double occupancy (we match roommates for those traveling solo, and most of us are doing just that).
If you want your own room: Solo occupancy additional $690
The only way to secure your spot for this meetup is a $300 deposit that is refundable up to 90 days before departure.
Click here for secure deposit link

When you make a deposit be sure to fill out our ATTENDEES FORM.
As we mentioned, . . . the cost is $2195. This is for the "Land" portion only. Airfare is not included. This gives you the flexibility to have a flight with timing that works best for you. Or to use points/miles.
I can also help arranging your airfare. To receive an offer, CLICK HERE and send me a message.

What is Included in this trip:

  • 9 Nights hotel accommodation
  • 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners.
  • Meet & Greet at the airport.
  • Pick-up from airport to our hotel, and hotel to airport at the end of the trip
  • Transportation throughout the trip
  • Private naturalist English speaking tour guide
  • All entrance fees and tours mentioned in the itinerary day-by-day description
  • Daily water bottles for the group
  • Hotel and Added Value Tax

Does not include:
x International Airfare
x Meals other than specified
x Optional Tours
x All items of personal nature (telephone calls, Laundry, room service, etc.)
x Tipping for tour guides and drivers

Want more info?
Click Here to fill out our info request form

OR

RSVP to the event with your email to receive additional info.

OR

SCLICK HERE to send me a message

Whatever is easiest for you!

Still have questions?
We do a Q & A Zoom every two weeks or so.
CLICK HERE for our Q & A Zoom. RSVP on that event to get a reminder for the zoom.

Click here for the MAIN location of this event on Meetup RSVP there to post any discussion and to get notice of any comments and discussions. As well as any updates and reminders

We believe in good decent social.

SOT[masked]

Click Here to see all our other events

2
Yosemite! 4 days/3 nights. Tuolumne Meadows/High Country AND Valley Floor

Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center

This event is filled.

We very much apologize we can not accommodate all. Our events are popular and limited. They are also safe and fun with a focus on community.

For other options . . .

August 25 Yosemite Valley Floor Activities

September 1 Yosemite! 4 days/3 nights. LABOR DAY WEEKEND

September 29 Mt Whitney (training) Hike to Lone Pine Lake. Whitney for Fun!! Newbie Camping

November 3 Salton Sea/Ladder Canyon CAMPING

November 17 Kelso Dunes, Pisgah Crater, Lava Tubes exploration and caving. Trilobites too!!

CLICK HERE to see all our events

Our events fill early due to quality sites with amenities. Curated or guided hikes & adventures that are safe and fun.

We welcome all, and that includes you!

15
Meetup on the Orient Express and Machu Picchu Confirmed Attendees Prep Zoom

Link visible for attendees

This Zoom is ONLY for confirmed participants for our:
Meetup on The Orient Express (from 6 pm to 7:30 pm PDT)
Machu Picchu Three ways (from 7:30 pm to 9 pm PDT)

We do these Attendees Only Events as events get closer to the date.

The goal of this is:
Detail Specific info on the event.
Latest updates.
Social Time to meet and talk with the others going.

  • We will be discussing MANY aspects of the trip.
  • Airfare
  • Overall schedule for the whole event
  • Insurance
  • Visas
  • Clothing
  • Currency
  • Electrical Plugs
  • Battery Backups
  • Cell phone coverage
  • What meals included
  • Info about how difficult or other logistics.
  • And any questions you have

And soooooooooooo much more. IF you have other questions you can also message them to us ahead of time and we will add them.

To message us:
Oddie (Marc) Click Here
Anna Click Here

IF you are Confirmed attendee to the Meetup on the Orient Express or Machu Picchu Three Ways, you are able to attend this zoom and you will receive the link and details via email.

If you are just "interested" but have not made deposit we do have monthly zoom for all our international trips.
Overseas Q & A monthly:
https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/287318466/

At that event we will be discussing all our other well planned curated trips for 2023:

OK . . . See you at the Zoom

We believe in good decent social.
Live the adventure, instead of only dreaming it!
Click Here to see all our other events

1

Past events (324)

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